Birthday Extravaganza

Al and I have been struggling with guilt. Ruby has never really had a proper birthday party. I think her 1st birthday was at mum's house with Lia and Lily and some family members - that was the closest we got. When she turned 2, we'd just moved to the U.S. so we took the day off work, went to Chelsea market and let her dive head first into an Elmo cupcake. That was probably the most fun she'd ever had. When she turned 3, we took the closest thing to cake that was permitted into the classroom - which were some horrific 'healthy' muffins from Wholefoods. Don't know about Ruby, but I'm certainly scarred from those. So - 4 years old - this was it. The big day!

We joined with Emme (her friend who was going to turn 3) and hired out the New York kids club. 31 kids, at least as many adults - and it turned out to be a serious bash!

The invitation...

There was some pre-work. The going home presents were super hero t-shirts for the boys - as sported by Eben and Hudson:

 

And wings for the girls..

Which all had to be wrapped in tissue paper.

It was actually a really amazing day. Ruby as a purple fairy before we left the house.

And this gives you a taste of upper west side parties..

http://youtu.be/HqjFK9yV8ng

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Here are a few snaps of Ruby on the trampoline, Ruby and Emme in the centre of it all, the kids etc.

Cupcakes were a hit.

Ruby had a blast.

On the way back from the party, nice example of wonderful New York.

Although Ruby fits in nicely with the eccentricity

The party was the week before her birthday. On her actual birthday, we opened all the presents from her party, went to Petco which is her favourite shop anyway and bought her a pet fish which she's named Susi (it's a boy fish), she had a bath filled up to the top of the tub with a pink bath bomb she'd got as one of the presents and finished off the night with a small piece of the Cadbury's buttons easter egg Al bought in London.

And here's the lil man and I in the park that day (very sunny and beautiful)

I can't believe she's 4 already. She's a ridiculous sweetie. Love you Ruby. xxx

Upstate New York. Mohonk and Woodstock

A few weeks ago we went on a 5 day trip to Upstate New York - one night at Mohonk Mountain House, one night at Kates Lazy Meadow in Woodstock, then two nights in Hudson. Unfortunately we never did the two nights in Hudson as Al's grandma, Nana, passed away so we came back early and Al flew back to London. Nana was an amazing woman - 99 when she died which is incredible in itself. She was such a wonderful character and will be so missed.

The beginning of the trip started out ok, the most exciting moment of any trip is when Al pulls up with the hire car. A real beauty this time, no 4x4 monster but a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria - one of the longest cars I've ever seen.

We set off for Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Not the first time we've been there but we liked it even more than last time. SO EASY with kids and they have a spa. Don't tend to need much else these days. Ruby and Eben had the childrens playground all to themselves.

Next stop - Woodstock. Which is a brilliant place, lots of gorgeous little shops, aging hippies everywhere and nice people. We stayed in Kates Lazy Meadow motel which is owned by one of the B52 singers and EVERYTHING is 50s. I thought it would be quite cool - and I suppose it was but it was wierdly authentic and creepy. Although finally a place where I fit in nicely in my headband. No bath for Eben either, but he loved the sink.

There was a lovely creek by the motel.

We went out for a nice dinner. Restaurants in the middle of the countryside at night are still too bright for Al

And the next morning we had a nice brekkie in Sweet Sue's diner and headed out for a stroll where we found this cafe Ruby and I liked.

Nice trip but obviously cut short unfortunately for a really very sad reason. xxxx